Blue Devils' departing assistant: 'It's my senior year'

INDIANAPOLIS — Suddenly, Duke has picked up another senior hoping for an especially meaningful NCAA Tournament experience to cherish.

A day after being named Northwestern’s next coach, Chris Collins, the Duke assistant, spoke briefly about the situation, as the Blue Devils prepared to meet Michigan State in tonight’s Midwest Region semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium.

And he revealed his immediate message on the new job to Duke seniors Seth Curry, Ryan Kelly and Mason Plumlee — count me in with you guys.

“It’s my senior year, too,” Collins said Thursday. “This is my last run, and that’s the way I’m viewing it. I’m all in with this. They know that. I’m excited to see what we can do the rest of the tournament.”

Collins, the native of Northbrook, Ill., a Chicago suburb near Northwestern, said the head position with the Big Ten school “was everything I was looking for.”

The 38-year-old former Duke player has served 13 seasons under Mike Krzyzewski.

On Thursday, several current Blue Devils spoke about the impending departure of Collins — or “C.C.” as point guard Quinn Cook called him — with mixed emotions.

Cook mentioned meeting Collins during the recruiting process and, ever since he arrived at Duke, the coach instructing him with what he needs to hear as a developing player, which means delving into things he sometimes doesn’t want to hear.

“He’s put in the work here. He’s put in the time. He deserves it. And I know he’s more than ready for it,” Cook said. “He’ll do great. He’s well-prepared. He has that head coach gene in his blood. I know he’s learned a lot from his father (Doug Collins) and Coach K.”